Posted by twinleaf on September 18, 2010, at 16:29:14
In reply to Re: TMS safety » twinleaf, posted by floatingbridge on September 18, 2010, at 15:31:15
Hi floating bridge! Nice to see you, too.
TMS treatments have been standardized as part of the FDA approval process. All treatments are given to the left frontal area, at between 10 and 20 Hz. (they start with 10 Hz and go up slowly). Stimuli in this range are excitatory; stimuli at 1 Hz are depressive, and are not used in treatment. They don't stimulate the right side at all.
I looked back in my file to see if there was any information about psychosis. There actually was. They said that a patient showing signs of psychosis should not be given TMS, because TMS is relatively slow-acting, and the psychosis could worsen dangerously before any benefit might occur. I don;t think they feel that TMS can help psychosis, anyway, but because of the importance of giving the best treatment for psychosis promptly, it is contraindicated to use TMS. I didn't see anything about TMS causing a worsening of psychosis. The focus seems to be on not treating psychosis with TMS at all.
fb, when TMS eventually gets approved for insurance, I think it is a great treatment to consider. The way it is now, having to get re-treated regularly just mounts up in expense. Maybe the new safer type of ECT will do the same thing, but better.
poster:twinleaf
thread:962770
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100917/msgs/962909.html